[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

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Hold election soon to return country’s ownership to people: BNP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday called for the holding of general elections soon, emphasising the need for returning the country’s ownership to the people.

www.newagebd.net

Hold election soon to return country’s ownership to people: BNP
Staff Correspondent 27 January, 2025, 00:13

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday called for the holding of general elections soon, emphasising the need for returning the country’s ownership to the people.

Besides, the party’s standing committee member, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, urged students to avoid forming ‘King’s parties’ and instead establish political organisations independently, free from government influence.

Amir Khosru observed that democracy in Bangladesh cannot thrive without ensuring that the country’s ownership lies in the hands of its people.

He made these remarks at a discussion titled ‘The role of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in establishing multi-party democracy and a sovereign independent country’, organised by the National People’s Party at the National Press Club in the capital Dhaka on Sunday.

He cautioned that delaying the election could create confusion among the public, jeopardising the democratic process.

He said that it was the people, particularly students, had forced the fascist Awami League government to relinquish power.

‘There is no alternative to holding the election quickly. If delayed, it could lead to chaos, and democracy could collapse,’ he said, asserting that it is the people who will decide the future of governance in the country.

‘If anyone tries to seize the state power like Sheikh Hasina or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did, they will be met with resistance,’ he added.

At a separate event organised by the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Muktijoddha Dal to mark the 89th birth anniversary of former president Ziaur Rahman at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, Hafiz urged for the political unity across various segments of society, including political leaders, students and the ordinary people, for greater national interests.

Hafiz highlighted the urgent need for electoral reforms, asserting that a free and fair election must be held without any further delay.

He observed that the necessary reforms could be completed within three months.

‘In 1971, we fought for an elected government. Why are we still debating the need for an elected government today?’ he questioned.

Hafiz also paid tribute to Ziaur Rahman, praising his leadership during the Liberation War of 1971, and reiterated the call for reforms to restore democracy in Bangladesh.

BNP joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie said that his party’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s demand for holding the next general elections under a neutral government was very much logical.

‘The country’s people want the same thing, for which the common people are fighting, struggling and waging movements. It will not be wise to counter the demand as it may create another critical time for the nation,’ he said.

He was addressing an annual sports competition programme at the Collegiate High School ground in Laxmipur.​

 

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Take opportunity of improved business climate, urges CA Press Secy amid business leaders’ call for quick polls

Business leaders should concentrate on seizing the opportunity of the improved business climate created by the present government, said Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, on Sunday. He made these remarks during a press briefing when asked to comment on business leaders’ ple

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Take opportunity of improved business climate, urges CA Press Secy amid business leaders’ call for quick polls
FE Online Report
Published :
Jan 26, 2025 21:09
Updated :
Jan 26, 2025 21:21

Business leaders should concentrate on seizing the opportunity of the improved business climate created by the present government, said Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, on Sunday.

He made these remarks during a press briefing when asked to comment on business leaders’ plea to hold general elections as soon as possible.

In response to another question, Mr Alam said that the closure of ready-made garment units has not hampered export growth, and most of the closed factories are owned by the oligarchs of the previous regime, who are either in jail or have fled the country.

They plundered banks and siphoned off millions of dollars, leaving workers unpaid, he noted.

Mr Alam also criticised Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the home minister of the Sheikh Hasina regime, calling him a “butcher” for ordering an indiscriminate killing of students, children, workers and innocent people during the July Revolution.

“Providing shelter to such a butcher is not at all acceptable,” he remarked.

Regarding the Chief Advisor’s recent visit to Davos, his press secretary mentioned that the Chief Adviser held meetings with top global business firms on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, where they showed huge interest in investing in Bangladesh.

He added that the government is serious about improving port management to lure more foreign investors and enhance the business climate.

Replying to a question about rumours on social media claiming that the advisers of the interim government, including the Chief Adviser, fled the country, Mr Alam said these rumours are being spread by elements of the previous regime who have already fled the country.

He informed that the government is planning to hold an international conference on the Rohingya issue in Dhaka in September next.

The Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary said the Chief Adviser, during his meetings with top world leaders, sought their assistance in repatriating the laundered money.

However, he noted that it would be a “lengthy procedure.”​

 

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Election Commission has no favourites: EC Sanaullah

The Election Commission has no favourites, nor it is on anyone's side, said Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah today

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Election Commission has no favourites: EC Sanaullah

Photo: Star

The Election Commission has no favourites, nor it is on anyone's side, said Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah today.

"We stand for fairness and justice... we want to return people their voting rights," he said at a meeting with data collectors, supervisors, and new voters on the occasion of the voter list update programme.

The event was held at the Panchagarh deputy commissioner's conference room.

He said, "The people will decide who their representatives will be -- not anyone else. This will not happen in the Election Commission office, the district commissioner's veranda, the superintendent of police's porch, or in any intelligence agency office."

He said they are committed to hold a free and fair election. However, he said this was a significant task and could not be achieved by the EC alone.

"The Election Commission will lead from the front and coordinate, but the implementation of this work will be carried out by everyone at the grassroots level," he added.​

 

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EC preparing to hold polls with year-end on mind

The Election Commission is preparing with an aim to hold the next national election in December, said Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, an election commissioner, yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

EC preparing to hold polls with year-end on mind
Says Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah

The Election Commission is preparing with an aim to hold the next national election in December, said Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, an election commissioner, yesterday.

"The chief adviser in his speech has already indicated that it might be possible to conduct the national election at the end of this year or the first half of 2026. So, we are taking preparation targeting to hold the polls in December," he said.

"But it's a matter of [political] consensus as to when the election will be held," the election commissioner said while talking to reporters after a meeting on updating the voter list at the Thakurgaon Road Degree College.

When the polls will be held lies with the government, not the EC, Sanaullah said.

"But we will ensure that those performing election duties at the grassroots level act professionally and impartially," he said, adding, "Our aim is to hold a free, fair, and credible election."

The election commissioner also hoped that the task of updating the voter list would be completed in March.

At another event in Dinajpur, Sanaullah urged the EC officials to make sure that Rohingyas do not get in the voter list.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin yesterday said they do not want the EC's independence enshrined in the constitution to be compromised.

He told reporters after a meeting with European Union Ambassador Michael Miller at the EC office.

The EU ambassador also opined that the EC should remain independent. Otherwise, the nation's expectations cannot be fulfilled, the CEC said.

While speaking at a programme on Sunday, Nasir said that there is no doubt that the EC's independence will be curtailed if some of the Electoral Reform Commission's recommendations are implemented.

On January 15, the reform commission submitted its report to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

During yesterday's meeting, the EU enquired about the EC's preparation for the democratic transition through the upcoming election. It also wanted to know the EC's overall preparations for the next election, including the process of voter registration, the CEC said.

"They [EU] expressed their willingness to assist in every way possible for Bangladesh's progress. They want the democratic transition to take place. They assured us of their full support in this journey."

Nasir added that the EU would send personnel, conduct a needs assessment, and deploy a mission to evaluate the situation before informing the EC about what kind of assistance they will provide.

The EU also expressed its desire to send observers during the polls, the CEC said adding, "We have assured them of a free and fair election. We have dedicated all our efforts to ensure a transparent, impartial, and acceptable election."

Michael Miller told reporters, "And I have come with a message of support for the reform ambitions of the interim government for holding an election transparent manner in line with international standards."

[Our correspondents in Dinajpur and Thakurgaon contributed to this report.]​

 

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Don't enrol Rohingyas as voters, EC Sanaullah tells officials in Dinajpur

"Ensure that no foreign nationals, particularly Rohingyas, are included in the voter list," he said

www.thedailystar.net

Don't enrol Rohingyas as voters, EC Sanaullah tells officials in Dinajpur

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah today urged Election Commission officials in Dinajpur to not enrol Rohingyas as voters.

"Ensure that no foreign nationals, particularly Rohingyas, are included in the voter list," he said.

Urging the officials to remove fake enrolment, duplicates, and foreign nationals from the voter rolls, he stressed that a transparent and accurate voter list is crucial for a fair election.

He made the remarks while speaking about various issues centring the next elections during separate meetings in Shilpakala Academy and Birganj upazila in Dinajpur. He was visiting Dinajpur today during his three-day tour of seven districts under the Rangpur division.

Stressing the need for encouraging female participation in the voter registration process, EC Sanaullah emphasised importance of preparing an accurate voter list and rebuilding public trust in the electoral process under the interim government.

He said, "The Election Commission is strongly committed to conducting a fair and credible election."

He reiterated the need to include the new generation in the voter list, aligning with the chief adviser's vision to ensure their active participation in the national elections.

However, the election commissioner raised concerns about the disparity between male and female voters, noting that the number of female voters currently is 30 lakh less than male voters.

"No eligible voter should be excluded due to technical issues," he stressed.

"We are determined to restore the credibility of all institutions, including the Election Commission, which has been questioned in the past due to controversial elections," he stated.

The meetings were attended by senior election officials, including Dinajpur Senior District Election Officer Md Kamrul Islam and Additional District Election Officer Md Aftabuzzaman.​